Ukraine-Russia war LIVE: Putin THREATENS a ‘proportional response’ if Britain continues to ‘provoke’ conflict

FEARS of World War 3 have spiked after the Kremlin said it’s at war with NATO as world leaders pledged to send more arms to Ukraine. Germany has announced it will now send “Gepard” light tanks with anti-aircraft guns to the nation. Marcel Dirsus, non-resident fellow at Kiel University’s Institute for Security Policy said: “The real significance of this decision lies not in the difference Gepards may make on the battlefield, but in the signal it sends.” Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has warned there is a “real” danger of a third world war breaking out after a day of apparent Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil. Speaking on the 61st day of the war, during a state television broadcast, Lavrov was asked about the importance of avoiding World War III. “I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it,” Lavrov replied, Reuters has reported. Lavrov also said the continual deliveries of supplies and weaponry to Ukraine means the NATO alliance has positioned itself as “in essence engaged in war with Russia“. He added: “These weapons will be a legitimate target for Russia’s military acting within the context of the special operation.” Lavrov went on: “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.” Responding to Lavrov’s comments, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted they were a bluff to “scare the world off supporting Ukraine.” Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…